Mick Hartley

That Edinburgh film festival affair….a letter in the Times today, signed by a number of distinguished figures in the film world, gives Ken Loach a bit of a slap down:

For all of us who wholeheartedly support a two-state solution and moves towards peace in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians alike, this example of a government funding art that challenges and examines difficult issues within its own society is deemed admirable.

Given the record of the Israeli Film Fund, we were, therefore, surprised by the ill-judged action of the festival’s organisers — who, at the instigation of Ken Loach, an unquestionably distinguished director, returned a grant made to the festival by the Israeli Embassy to enable an Israeli director to participate. Mr Loach has been a longstanding supporter of boycotting Israel. Yet, if you look at the record of the Israeli Film Fund, it surely proves the value of an uncensored voice in a democratic society.

We are pleased that Tali Shalom Ezer will be able to attend the Edinburgh Festival after all, and that the organising committee has acknowledged its mistake in stating that Mr Loach spoke on behalf of the film community (which clearly he did not). Divisive cultural boycotts like this make loud statements but help no one.